Put your feet up, perhaps with a glass of sangria in hand, and prepare to enjoy a joyous gallop between gastronomic adventures throughout Spain. Celebrity chef and global humanitarian José Andrés premieres new animation and food show, José Andrés y Familia in Spain, on December 27 on Discovery+ from Warner Brothers. Born and raised in Spain, Andrés attended culinary school at age 15 in Barcelona and then, for his first game-changing professional job, landed the chance in the legendary kitchen of avant-garde chef el Bulli through chef Ferran Adrià, who had been crowned the number one place to eat in the world (now a tribute museum). At age 21, Andrés emigrated to the United States with $50 in his pocket and soon worked in restaurants in New York and Washington, DC. His career is amazing. Andrés, now an American citizen founded in Maryland, founded World Central Kitchen, the notable nonprofit that has provided millions of meals to others in need after herbal errors and other primary social crises. With an honest and positive attitude, he has earned dozens of honors and awards, including a National Humanities Medal, which was awarded to him through President Barack Obama. The Michelin-starred chef, with over 30 creative and varied American dining venues, Andrés has been identified by many food experts as the essential pied piper who led small plate and tapas dining in America, thus feeding a gourmet . motion. A New York Times bestselling cookbook author, the culinary visionary and his team also recently hosted an engaging podcast: Longer Tables. His company José Andrés Media (JAM), which produces scripted and unscripted television series, books and virtual content related to food, is in fashion. José Andrés and his family in Spain are accompanied by his three young American daughters, Lucía, Inés and Carlota, who bring more courage and smiles to this six-part series. I spoke with the always active Andrés, who sat down long enough to express endearing words about his love of prepared food and, above all, his family. My interview is below.
Andrés presents his favorite places, drinks and dishes in all towns and regions: Episode 1 – Barcelona and Catalonia; Episode 2 — Córdoba and Andalusia; Episode 3 — Valencia; Episode four – Madrid; Episode five — Asturias; and Episode 6: Lanzarote, an attractive Spanish volcanic island off the coast of Africa. Along the way, local guides, celebrity chefs, and old cooking friends join Andrés for fun and insightful escapades. Andrés’ family dances flamenco at a festival, admires the giant bonfires of Las Fallas, participates in an acrobatic challenge to shape a human pyramid, and paraglides over impressive landscapes. Discover with them what is considered the most productive Atlantic bluefin tuna in the world, as well as the secrets of Spanish gazpacho, roast suckling lamb, Iberian ham, authentic Spanish paella, the classic production of high mountain cheese and the enormous carabineros , a brilliant eastern Atlantic red. Deep sea shrimp array. Watch them drink wine made from grapes artfully grown in black volcanic soil. See amazing monuments and magnificent landscapes throughout your road trip vacation date. Andrés exclaims Oh my God! and boom! approval of cuisine and culture. A whirlwind of close-ups of tapas, fiery patatas bravas, pastries galore and more fill the screen, all of which will probably make you hungry and might even motivate you to book a holiday to Spain. “To really know Spain you have to perceive its gastronomy. Lots of delicious food,” says Andrés. “Spain lives in the depths of my soul and its cuisine has made me who I am: a chef who loves to feed the world. ”
Laura Manske: What do you think audiences can get the most out of this show?
José Andrés: Celebrate life! Especially for each and every one of the things we’ve been through. Trip! Family is important. Go out into the world. Sometimes it is not mandatory to travel to distant countries. You can travel within your own city or state. For me, going to Spain means coming home. This is the country where I was born. I love the country. I wanted to take my 3 American-born daughters on vacation, with cameras, as adults. Spain is a big country and a small country. We went there every summer, every Christmas, but we go to the same places. So we used this exhibit to take them to places they’ve never been before. Be open to new things and experiences. Bring family, bring friends.
Manske: When you look at the screen, you see how much you love your daughters. What effect did traveling with them have on your relationship during the filming of this series?
Andrés: What do I think or what do my daughters think?[Laughs] They had an amazing experience, but [sometimes] they found it complicated. In addition to filming for many weeks, they were doing their exams and studies, which is not easy. . I’m very proud that they put in the effort to make this exhibit and continue to live their [personal] lives at the same time. You know how tricky it can be to have a camera in front of you. For me, to see my youngest daughter, Lucia, who had doubts about doing this exhibition, how she arrived so calmly, how she was able to succeed in all the challenges, that for me as a father [is special]. [Traveling in combination] has allowed us to better perceive each other. We are more powerful as a family.
Manske: What was your biggest lesson from doing this show?
Andrés: Everyone considers me an expert in everything and in Spain. But every time you travel you realize that the more you know, the less you know.
Manske: What’s your motto?
Andrés: Longer tables, no upper walls. Where friends and new people meet and share a happy life.
Andrés prepares paella with Chef Diego Guerrero at Chef Pepa Muñoz’s home in Spain.
Manske: You’re referring to the maxim of the 19th-century French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin: “Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you who you are. “
Andrés: Anyone who sees this exhibition will realize the importance of food in who we are.
Manske: The funniest moment?
Andrés: I was driving an old car, we called it Seicento [SEAT 600], which was a [popular vehicle] in the ’60s and ’70s, when Spaniards could have their own car. My dad had a car like that. [When I was getting the car ready to start], I broke the rearview mirror. My daughters laughed for 30 minutes straight, even though they didn’t spend that much time in front of the camera!
Manske: Behind the scenes, what was the driving force behind the series?
Andrés: The user [who] made this exhibition possible, more than incredible, is my wife [Patricia]. She was everything. She was the glue that made my daughters show up every day striving for perfection. She took care of me, bringing peace at a time when there was [family] drama. We couldn’t have done this exhibition without her.
This interview has been edited for length.
Andrés lets himself be seduced by the restaurant Disfrutar de Barcelona.
For more information on how to plan a holiday, visit: Turismo España.